​After acknowledging that your relative is or was a hoarder, the first step in clearing the hoarded estate is to contact a hoarding remediation company to clear the clutter and, if possible, restore the home to a livable or salable condition.

The second step, which is every bit as crucial, is arranging for an in-home assessment. If a company you contact doesn’t insist on seeing the hoarded property before giving you a firm estimate of time and cost, run—don’t walk—to the next company on your list.

Phone quotes are almost always inaccurate and cannot be honestly guaranteed. Clutter & Hoarding Pros™ will never give a firm estimate over the phone.

A phone conversation, even with photos you’ve texted beforehand, simply cannot provide all the necessary information for making a realistic estimate that will be adhered to when the work is done.

We need to see things such as:

Access to doorways, exits, and entrances.

Size of doorways if bulky items or appliances are to be removed.

Stairs, angles, ceiling height (pitch), etc.

The three-dimensional aspect of the contents—how deep, how high, etc.

The true extent of the hoard—is there hazardous material, rodent or insect infestation, food or other waste material, etc.

What size containers will we need?

How many team members will it take, and how many days will we need?

Plus many other unknowns, which we can only determine while onsite.

Are we a fit with the client/family members and would you want to work with us?

If at all possible, we want to meet the client and/or family members in person to make sure that we both feel we want to work together. Not every client likes or trusts every hoarding remediation team; sometimes it’s just a matter of chemistry or personality. We want to get a feel for you, the client, and let you get a feel for us before we undertake such an emotional and demanding project. We are committed to setting realistic and achievable expectations from the beginning, and it’s difficult to do this without meeting face to face. If this is simply not possible, we make every effort to get to know you over the phone.

The goal of the home assessment: To give you, the client or responsible party, an accurate quote, with no added surprises, and to establish positive and achievable expectations for the remediation of the hoarded estate. We approach every job with enthusiasm, confident of a good outcome, and we want you to feel the same.